I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about
Know exactly what you want?
Show search

Notification

Error
12>

Has anyone used SpaceOAR gel?

Email this conversation Print this conversation
User
Posted 08 Jan 2019 at 10:47

I'm due to start my RT on 11th Feb, and when I was speaking to my oncologist yesterday evening I asked him about the use of SpaceOAR gel, a "spacer" which is injected between the prostate and the bowel to reduce the chance of long-term radiation damage to the bowel. He said that the hospital I'm having my treatment at (Clatterbridge Cancer Centre on the Wirral) didn't currently use it, although they were considering doing so soon. He said, though, that he thought it was a useful treatment and that he'd be happy to arrange for me to have it elsewhere if I wanted to.


I've contacted my insurance company this morning (I have private medical insurance through my work), and somewhat to my surprise they've said they'd be happy to cover the cost of the procedure, so the way is open for me to have it if I want to.


I was wondering what peoples' thoughts were on this. Has anyone had it done? How "major" a procedure is it? Any side-effects?


Any opinions would be very welcome!


Cheers,


Chris


 

User
Posted 26 Feb 2019 at 22:09
If Space OAR beneficially provides greater separation between Prostate and Rectum where RT is to be given, I wonder whether there are situations where it would help with other forms of treatment? I was told that further HIFU would not be given to me because my small tumour was too close to the rectum which could suffer collateral damage. Alternatively, it might help with Focal Laser Ablation (FLA). I will be writing to an expert on Focal Therapy this week to discuss this possibility and will post elsewhere as this may be of interest to others but I don't wish to side track this thread.
Barry
User
Posted 14 Mar 2019 at 08:34
A "burning" sensation while peeing is an extremely common side-effect of RT and is basically caused by the radiation irritating the bladder. You may find that cutting out caffeine helps.

Hope your treatment continues to go well. I've now completed 22 out of 32 fractions and, touch wood, no sign of any diarrhoea thus far.

Cheers,

Chris
User
Posted 16 Mar 2019 at 17:01
Glad to hear you’re doing so well. My nighttime situation has improved, I’m happy to say. I only had to get up twice last night, which is a great improvement!

All the best,

Chris
User
Posted 13 Apr 2019 at 14:26
One day, this will be available to everyone and people will be horrified that men used to have RT without it.

The exercise class sounds brilliant. Physios are underrated when it comes to men with prostate cancer / recovering from PCa treatment.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 26 May 2019 at 17:48
You had RP, though, Rob, not RT. The radiology team at the hospital where I had my RT recommended cranberry juice and it worked wonders for me.

Cheers,

Chris
User
Posted 17 Nov 2019 at 20:05

I was diagnosed with PC in Feb 2019 with a Gleason score of 3+4 and 4+3 so 7.  My understanding is that this is one above monitor only.  My London-based specialist was quite visibly and verbally annoyed when I declined the scalpel.  This hospital was listed as one of the world’s top 100 in The Times recently.


I progressed with Prostat injections, but part way through became aware of SpaceOAR and the benefits described in the NICE report.  My specialist agreed he would seek to have the procedure in my situation but it was not available at this London teaching hospital.  I have now had my 6th Prostat injection, which should be the last before RT, but I am still awaiting referral to a different London hospital for consideration of the hydrogel under NHS.


Given the benefits reported by NICE and the comments here (thank you), I am very upset that a so-called ‘top 100 world hospital’ has senior clinicians that are so dismissive of SpaceOAR.  Surgeons like using the scalpel!


Hopefully, I will get a new referral soon as the first hospital has now ‘taken me off the system’.  My advice gents (and ladies carers) is be firm and insist on the best treatment available.


Good luck and best wishes.


 

User
Posted 20 Jan 2020 at 21:59

I was diagnosed on the NHS in September 2019, Gleason 9, so aggressive. Fortunately my wife has Aviva Private Health Insurance through her work which covers me too. My oncologist in Glasgow arranged for me to have a PSMA scan done at the Harley St Clinic, basically an MRI scan with a special radioactive tracer for high imagery to double check cancer has not spread outside the prostate. It had not fortunately. I mentioned at the next appointment that I had read about SpaceOAR and it turned out that he is leading the cause to get it approved on the NHS in Scotland and said he would arrange for this to be done again by the Harley Street Group. I would be the first person he had arranged this for. My insurance company authorised the PSMA scan and the spacer and have been excellent. I had the fiducial markers and SpaceOAR done at the same time under general anaesthetic at the Princess Grace Hospital in London on Tuesday 14th Jan 2020, it all went to plan and I was discharged that afternoon. No pain, bruising or discomfort, I don’t even know it is there and went for a couple of pints that night! My RT planning day is this Thursday and I start 20 sessions of RT on 10th February at the Beatson Cancer Centre in Glasgow. I will update here how it goes and what the side affects are like. I am hoping the spacer does its job well!  Getting there, just counting down the days now to 9th March when the RT ends. Oh, and I have been on hormones, bicalutamide, since 10th October and will remain on it for two years because of the Gleason score of 9.


Good luck to all! 

Edited by member 20 Jan 2020 at 22:01  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 06 Feb 2020 at 15:22
Hi Russell,

My SpaceOAR was done (privately) under GA at Wycombe General NHS hospital. Don’t know if that helps you at all.
User
Posted 06 Feb 2020 at 16:34
To be honest, it's not something I'd spend my own money on. The modern EBRT machine deliver a very targeted radiation dose, and I had minimal bowel problems during (or after) my RT.

Cheers,

Chris
User
Posted 06 Feb 2020 at 16:52

Its not just to prevent the immediate side affects it’s also there to protect the bowel from the potential long term damage from radiotherapy which can occurs years after the treatment.
Will let you know how the immediate side affects go, first RT this Monday coming. I can start my countdown from 20 - 0 then. Cheers

Edited by member 06 Feb 2020 at 17:16  | Reason: Additional info

User
Posted 07 Oct 2021 at 14:22
Good to hear you are doing well Arthur! I finished my RT 2 weeks before first lockdown in March 2020 and stopped taking Bicalutamide last month on 12th September. My last 4 PSA tests have been undetectable so the next one is due in January 2022 and we will see what effect ending the hormone tabs has. As I was diagnosed Gleason 9, and got the RT done and dusted before Covid, I like you, feel quite ‘lucky’, although even after being double jabbed, I contracted Covid last month. Fairly mild symptoms but boy do I get tired every afternoon now! Now thinking about retirement in the next 2 - 3 years. I’m 61 and have worked since I was 16, so think I’m about ready to give it up. All the best - onwards and upwards!
User
Posted 17 Oct 2021 at 21:48
Not necessarily correct although that may have been good advice in your particular case. Whether a man should have a full or partially full bladder depends on his own internal plumbing plus whether the oncologist needs to get the bottom of the bladder into the treatment field. Fullness of the bladder doesn’t affect the bowel; reducing impact on the bowel is helped by a) the bowel being empty of faeces and gas and b) the cancer not being at the front of the prostate.

Suggest you amend your post; it is against the site rules to name your medics.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 18 Oct 2021 at 00:31
Apologies, I think it is just what we each mean by 'bowel' - probably clearer to refer to the small intestine, large intestine or colon and the rectum. SpaceOar sits between the prostate and the rectum, rather than the prostate and the small intestine - a full bladder doesn't protect the colon or rectum.

A full bladder can lift the small intestine up out of the area, which protects it, but the main reason for a full bladder is that it ensures consistent position of the prostate - it also lifts the bladder out of zone, reducing bladder side effects. Whether the bladder needs to be full or partially full, the importance of it being consistent for each fraction is that it holds the prostate in exactly the same position day after day. My husband didn't need a full bladder - he was just asked to drink water 10 minutes before the session because they needed to get the bottom of his bladder into the RT field as that was where the rogue cancer cells had spread to.

In the UK, we are seeing some hospitals opting for empty bladder instead - again, to ensure consistency for each fraction.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 07 Nov 2021 at 09:50

Welcome to the SpaceOAR “club” Jono! All being well your planning scan(s) will reveal just how much extra space has been created in that all important place, where as I understand it there normally is none or almost none. Did you have it done under general or local anaesthetic? I do hope your Onco is as happy with the “placement” as mine was, it really boosts the spirits to see a senior medic so cheerful at this stage. Wishing you all the best for the weeks to come. 

Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 08 Jan 2019 at 13:43

I see that this treatment is reckoned to have beneficial effects by NICE:


https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/IPG590/chapter/1-Recommendations


Chris


 

User
Posted 08 Jan 2019 at 15:01
I talked to an oncologist about it, should I have a recurrence and undergo RT, but he said as I haven’t got a prostate anymore, it’s not appropriate.

I looked it up when Matron first mentioned it early last year and it seems very good. I would definitely have one fitted/installed.

Best of luck with your RT.

Cheers, John.
User
Posted 08 Jan 2019 at 19:58
Hi CC, I have booted the relevant previous post up the 'recent conversations' list for your information.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 08 Jan 2019 at 21:02
Cheers, Lyn. I definitely think I'll go for it, assuming it can be done in time for the start of my RT. My oncologist reckons the place he knows it can be done is in Northern Ireland, but that's an easy trip for me, and by the sound of it I could do it as a day trip or at most an overnight one.
User
Posted 08 Jan 2019 at 23:09

Not sure why, but I have Liverpool lurking in my memory bank as a hospital that does it? There is also a map of provision (private) here


https://www.genesiscare.com/uk/treatment/cancer/radiotherapy/space-oar-hydrogel/


 

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 10 Jan 2019 at 18:37
I spoke to my oncologist's secretary today, and she told me that my oncologist knows of a chap in Leeds who can do the procedure, and is contacting him to try to sort it out for me. I only have a 10-day "window" between returning from holiday and starting RT, so I'm hoping it can be done during that time.

Leeds is only about an hour away from me, so that would be perfect if it can be arranged. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Chris
User
Posted 10 Jan 2019 at 18:50
Ooooh, I wonder if it is our Mr B?
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 11 Jan 2019 at 08:21
It is indeed!

Chris
User
Posted 11 Jan 2019 at 13:37
Drat. Mr B. has got back to my oncologist to say that Leeds no longer offers the treatment, because the logistical issues aren't worth the hassle for the once in a blue moon that the procedure is requested. He doesn't know anywhere nearer than London who does offer it, and it would delay my RT to search further for it, so I've decided (regretfully) to forego the procedure and just have the "normal" RT as planned. My oncologist assured me that with modern "intensity modulated" RT the risk of significant bowel damage is very low, so I'll take my chances. Obviously my highest priority is to get my cancer sorted!

Oh well...

Chris
User
Posted 11 Jan 2019 at 15:24
My oncologist here in Coventry sniffed when I mentioned SpaceOar to him, (before my prostate surgery), dismissively saying ‘We don’t offer that here’, without any further elaboration.

Well, it’s not his bowel or bladder likely to be perforated if things don’t go to plan.

I hope your treatment goes to plan, and enjoy your holiday.

Best of luck.

Cheers, John.
User
Posted 18 Jan 2019 at 00:52
I had SpaceOar treatment one month before my seed implant. I was my doctor's first patient. I had found out about Spaceoar from my own research and decided I wanted it to reduce the side effects of the radiation. Ask my doctor about it and he had also been talking to the SpaceOar people. The procedure was done in his office with a SpaceOar Rep and another Urologist selling/demoing new Ultrasound Machine. The procedure isn't that long. But hope the shots used to numb the area works better for others than me. Anyway the SpaceOar went in with no problems. Sore for a few days but not bad and could feel a little pressure on the inside for about 3 or 4 days, no pain from SpaceOar. When I had the seeds implanted the members of the team were impressed with the way the Prostate and Rectum were separated. It's been four weeks and the one thing that doesn't have pain is my rectum.


I live in the US and have Medicare HMO. I checked before treatment and it was covered. However, when the doctor billed for the SpaceOar the HMO denied payment. Doctor office has resubmitted the bill. You can watch the procedure on YouTube.


Chris the SpaceOar website has a list of doctors that perform the procedure. Maybe you can a different doctor in just inject the SpaceOar.


Johnny
User
Posted 26 Feb 2019 at 17:51
I had SpaceOAR gel “installed” on 14th Feb (such a treat for Valentine’s Day!, not). My surgeon used a general anaesthetic, he wasn’t at all keen on the “local” idea when I asked how it would be done, but I guess for some patients that might be the preferable or only option depending on other health issues.

I’m due to start radiotherapy tomorrow.

I had MRI and CT scans after the insertion of the spacer. This, my 3rd, MRI is apparently to check that the spacer is in the correct place - it doesn’t show up on the CT apparently. The CT is for planning of the therapy. I think I have those the right way around. No pain or discomfort to mention immediately after the procedure, but some discomfort at various points during the last week which seems to relate to fullness of bowl and or bladder. Seems to be easing in the last 24hours anyway. Will ask the oncologist about it this evening. It never got beyond what 2 paracetamol could cope with.

I have private health insurance from work, but I was told by the onco that they will not pay for the SpaceOAR; however the radiotherapy provider do pay for it as part of the deal apparently. Either way, it’s in! The radiologist told me they have been doing it for all of their prostate patients for the last 5 or so months.
User
Posted 26 Feb 2019 at 19:36
Interesting! Where are you being treated?

Chris
User
Posted 26 Feb 2019 at 20:44
Radiotherapy is happening in Windsor. The service provider company in question was linked to by an earlier poster (Lyn) in this thread.
User
Posted 26 Feb 2019 at 22:09
If Space OAR beneficially provides greater separation between Prostate and Rectum where RT is to be given, I wonder whether there are situations where it would help with other forms of treatment? I was told that further HIFU would not be given to me because my small tumour was too close to the rectum which could suffer collateral damage. Alternatively, it might help with Focal Laser Ablation (FLA). I will be writing to an expert on Focal Therapy this week to discuss this possibility and will post elsewhere as this may be of interest to others but I don't wish to side track this thread.
Barry
User
Posted 14 Mar 2019 at 08:30
Quick update. One month today since SpaceOAR insertion. All discomfort gone.
Revelation: cranberry juice!
I still had some small discomfort remaining when I went to pee. Radiologist suggested “try drinking cranberry juice”. Either I am the most suggestible guy ever, or lucky timing, or, Cranberry Juice is magic! Drank a 250ml glass of said magic fluid with my dinner last night. Yes, it is a bit diuretic! But this morning, no discomfort! Hoorah. Seems unbelievable. Only time will tell.
Off for my 12th “fraction” today.
User
Posted 14 Mar 2019 at 08:34
A "burning" sensation while peeing is an extremely common side-effect of RT and is basically caused by the radiation irritating the bladder. You may find that cutting out caffeine helps.

Hope your treatment continues to go well. I've now completed 22 out of 32 fractions and, touch wood, no sign of any diarrhoea thus far.

Cheers,

Chris
User
Posted 16 Mar 2019 at 16:11

Great to hear that you’re making good progress Chris. I’m a little way behind you at 13/37 of my RT complete. The stinging sensation has been there since two days after the SpaceOAR was inserted. But it could now be down to the radiotherapy. The 2nd suggestion was Ibuprofen, but so far I’ve stayed off that.


Like you, so far no diaorhoea but occasional mucus with the ’gas’, which keeps one guessing! As it happens, my caffeine intake is substantially reduced at the moment as part of my bid to manage the fluid balance. I don’t need anything extra stimulating the kidneys when I am trying to hang on to just the right amount at the right time. 


Don’t want to speak too soon/brag/make you jealous, but so far I’m only having to get up once a night. I can only sympathise.


I had a session of Relaxation therapy last week courtesy of www.pennybrohn.org.uk. I went in somewhat sceptical, but now I can’t wait to try it again! Highly recommended.

User
Posted 16 Mar 2019 at 17:01
Glad to hear you’re doing so well. My nighttime situation has improved, I’m happy to say. I only had to get up twice last night, which is a great improvement!

All the best,

Chris
User
Posted 30 Mar 2019 at 11:42

By about four weeks after SpaceOAR insertion the discomfort that I had was gone. All I have now is the stinging sensation when I pee, a standard radiotherapy side effect apparently, which I will say is helped in my case by a small daily intake of cranberry juice. I got some pure juice and I dilute it with water; it’s quite sharp to say the least but at least it doesn’t have a load of added artificial sweeteners like the “juice drinks” that are more commonly available do. I now know you can get concentrated capsules of cranberry from health food stores, but I haven’t ventured down that road yet. The “mucus” thing seems to have mostly stopped now too.


I’ve now had one reflexology and one acupuncture session courtesy of http://www.pennybrohn.org.uk/ and they both seems to help. Really looking forward to the next session in each case. Also had a fitness assessment yesterday prior to commencing a twelve week long “Exercise Medicine” program.


Now 23/37 on the radiotherapy so we are counting down now!

Edited by member 07 Apr 2019 at 12:00  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 30 Mar 2019 at 11:52
Delighted to hear that you're doing so well. I'd suggest asking to see a doctor and getting a prescription for Tamsulosin when you have your next session - it helps enormously with the peeing situation (as I've just discovered when I inadvertently forgot to take it for two days!).

Chris
User
Posted 03 Apr 2019 at 21:31

Not having heard of SpaceOAR until coming across this thread, I went off to read the blurb on it, and I'm very interested in having it done. Can anyone tell me what it cost them?


I also asked my MacMillan nurse about it today, and she knew of it and that people had had it done privately. She said it has been known to slip out of place occasionally. 

User
Posted 07 Apr 2019 at 11:58
Cost of SpaceOAR to me was zero. My private healthcare insurer apparently will not pay for it, but the private radiotherapy provider [see earlier in thread] that I am fortunate enough to be with (paid for by the healthcare insurer, go figure) is so convinced of its benefits that they have been paying for it for all of their prostate cancer patients for about 6 months now. Surgeon muttered something about it costing “about five grand”. Procedure was carried out privately at an NHS hospital.
User
Posted 07 Apr 2019 at 12:05

My insurer would have been happy to pay for it too, had I been able to find somewhere to have it done. Unfortunately I wasn't able to do so in the time available to me. I seem to recall that I was told that the cost (to my insurers) would have been around £3000, taking into account the cost of the operating theatre, anaesthetist, and so on.


Interestingly, my oncologist at the Clatterbridge Cancer Center told me that they were planning to trial its use there later this year, which would suggest that it might then be available to NHS patients.


Cheers,


Chris

Edited by member 07 Apr 2019 at 12:07  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 07 Apr 2019 at 17:31

It is approved by NICE providing it is done by someone experienced.
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/IPG590

Reading some of the papers on it, the success rate improves during the first 30 procedures a surgeon does.


One area where there is less evidence on effectiveness is where the PC is locally advanced, and there are concerns it could move some local micro mets away from the prostate where they won't get zapped.


Mine may be locally advanced, but as far as I know, that's on the opposite side of the prostate (anterior).


I have sent a message to my oncologist in advance of the next consultation that I'm interested in it, so I'll see what he says. Plan is whole pelvis EBRT and HDR brachytherapy, but waiting for HT to bring PSA down first. I do have private cover, but several people (including my GP) advised me to stick with NHS for the diagnosis stage, so I haven't used the private cover yet.

Edited by member 07 Apr 2019 at 17:41  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 07 Apr 2019 at 17:53
It was available at St James oncology centre in Leeds but they have recently withdrawn it - not enough people were requesting it, I think.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 07 Apr 2019 at 20:02
I know - I was going to be done by your Mr B, who then advised that they’d stopped doing the procedure there!
User
Posted 13 Apr 2019 at 10:46
As I seem to be the only person posting on here who has actually had the SpaceOAR procedure, I guess an update is in order.

I now have just 4 radiotherapy sessions left (out of 37). As I mentioned previously, I had some discomfort at first after the SpaceOAR insertion, but that subsided after about four weeks and has not returned. Comparing notes with one fellow patient, same procedure by the same surgeon, same he experienced zero discomfort from the SpaceOAR. Radiographers and other staff at the centre where I am being treated have expressed surprise at my mention of the said discomfort, so I get the impression it isn’t usual. And don't get me wrong, it was only ever mild discomfort and certainly wouldn’t change my decision if I had to make it again.

If my mild level of side effects is anything to go by then it is doing a great job. But I don’t have another “me” to act as a control subject for comparison so it's impossible to know how things would have been without it.

I’ve now had 3 exercise sessions under the supervision of the physiotherapists and as someone who would never, ever, have set foot in a gym I’m really enjoying it. It’s all about building muscle. The only other people there are in the same or a similar boat so it’s all very positive and we can laugh with each other as we go through, or see each other go through, the same moments of discovering muscles we never knew we had.
User
Posted 13 Apr 2019 at 11:59

The distance the SpaceOar creates should make a significant difference to side effects.


Sounds like the exercise classes are a tonic in many ways.

Ido4

User
Posted 13 Apr 2019 at 13:53
According to the scan it has created about 10mm of space between my Prostate and the “Organ At Risk”, i.e. the rectum. I think about 5mm is more usual, so this might explain my earlier discomfort, my Prostate is only 16cc anyway. But without the SpaceOAR I think the two organs would pretty much be in contact with each other. My oncologist was delighted at the extra room that the surgeon had created with the gel.

Re: exercise; ideally one would exercise immediately before radiotherapy apparently so as to increase blood flow. However, this is not very practical for us chaps with PCa due to the need to arrive on the table with a full bladder at ‘lighting up time’!
User
Posted 13 Apr 2019 at 14:26
One day, this will be available to everyone and people will be horrified that men used to have RT without it.

The exercise class sounds brilliant. Physios are underrated when it comes to men with prostate cancer / recovering from PCa treatment.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 13 Apr 2019 at 18:01

In my reading of research papers, 16mm spacing is mentioned quite a bit. One of the failure modes is where it ends up non-symmetrical giving a much smaller spacing on one side, but even spacings below half this still give most of the benefit.


Regarding exercise, there seems to be quite a bit of evidence suggesting this slows most cancer growths (not just PCa), and in some cases, more effectively than any drugs can. My consultant is a big believer in this, and is part of a group to get their patients cycling. That was the Prostate Peddlers event today which I posted about, and I've just come back from. It was great to be cycling in Hertfordshire today with a load of PCa patients, and several consultants, a trainer, and their families. I am a cyclist anyway, but there were bikes available to borrow, including electric bikes, and some simple cycle routes, for those who don't have a bike.

User
Posted 20 Apr 2019 at 15:38
Quick update. RT now finished as of two days ago! Hooray!
I was warned that the side effects will not reach their peak until about ten days or so after the end of RT so not too much celebrating just yet. Next appointment for follow up with my oncologist is on the 30th. Nice to be having a four day break from everything in the mean time and I will not miss having to drink a specific amount of water at a specific time every day especially once the weekdays come around.

Andy62, my 2nd opinion consultant also told me much the same thing about exercise, that it could do more good than any treatment could.
User
Posted 23 Apr 2019 at 17:51

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member


One area where there is less evidence on effectiveness is where the PC is locally advanced, and there are concerns it could move some local micro mets away from the prostate where they won't get zapped.


Mine may be locally advanced, but as far as I know, that's on the opposite side of the prostate (anterior).


I have sent a message to my oncologist in advance of the next consultation that I'm interested in it, so I'll see what he says. Plan is whole pelvis EBRT and HDR brachytherapy, but waiting for HT to bring PSA down first. I do have private cover, but several people (including my GP) advised me to stick with NHS for the diagnosis stage, so I haven't used the private cover yet.



Consultant said it's not suitable for my case, where, because it's probably locally advanced, they will be deliberately radiating the whole pelvis including the lymph nodes around the bowel/rectum in case they contain undetectable micro mets, and they also don't want a spacer possibly moving micro mets away from the prostate.

User
Posted 04 May 2019 at 12:24
Andy62; sorry to hear that it isn’t considered an option in your case. Hope all goes well with your planned treatment.
User
Posted 04 May 2019 at 12:39
Latest update from me. Well, they were correct about the side effects getting worse AFTER the end of RT. But as predicted after about ten days things started to subside. I have made a note a few days ago which I never expected to write, it says “at last some Dry farts!”. Yes, such are the small victories of PCa. I had to take paracetamol for pain in the ‘back passage’ area on a quite a few days immediately after the end of RT, never more than two or three doses a day. But by 27/4 I didn’t need those any more, until this morning that is, so I guess it’s not over yet. Anyway...

Had blood taken for PSA (+liver function and testosterone) on 24th April. Saw the onco for the results yesterday (03/5). My previous PSA before RT started was 5.58. It is now 0.66 ! Apparently he was expecting maybe a 2 or a 3, so this is really excellent news 😎

LFT and testosterone still “normal” so just 19 more doses of Bicalutamide then I can stop that as well!
User
Posted 21 May 2019 at 16:47

Congratulations Arthur! Approaching the end of treatment must feel wonderful. At the beginning of mine (begun hormone therapy and now chemo with radiotherapy to follow). The end seems a very, very long way off ...

User
Posted 26 May 2019 at 10:50

Thanks Jonathan! I must say I felt more positive once treatment had started and at the start of each new stage. You can’t reach the end of your treatment until you start it. I didn’t realise, until it happened, that getting to halfway in e.g. radiotherapy and starting to count down, not up, would make a difference too. 


On which note, I have now completed HT. Took my last Bicalutamide tablet on 23/5/19.


Now that you have started treatment Jonathan the end of treatment is getting closer every single day. You will find a lot of support here on the forum at every stage.

Edited by member 22 Sep 2019 at 15:22  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 26 May 2019 at 11:27

Thanks for getting back to me Arthur. Fingers crossed! At the moment just extremely grateful that following 9 days of difficulty I've now experienced 2 'good' days on the trot. Very best wishes, Jonathan 🙂

User
Posted 26 May 2019 at 14:56
You'll get there, Jonathan. Just take it a day at a time and before you know it it'll be over and done with.

Very best wishes,

Chris
User
Posted 26 May 2019 at 16:57

hi.


my brother in Australia had space oar.


I had da.vinci he had RT.


 


see my profile.


 


... brother.  from my profile


Feb 17 Gold seeds and Space OAR early May 17 RT simulation / practice 'run'


Diet plan and fitness program


Single Lucrin® (leuprorelin acetate) injection


He's 70 and no side effects he has reported, very fit and well. In Australia he attends a pre-treatment health, diet and fitness group weekly.


 


May 2019. 


he modified his diet during RT however had no diarhoea or urgency


he would recommend it obviously. 


regards


Gordon 

User
Posted 26 May 2019 at 17:03

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Quick update. One month today since SpaceOAR insertion. All discomfort gone.
Revelation: cranberry juice!
I still had some small discomfort remaining when I went to pee. Radiologist suggested “try drinking cranberry juice”. Either I am the most suggestible guy ever, or lucky timing, or, Cranberry Juice is magic! Drank a 250ml glass of said magic fluid with my dinner last night. Yes, it is a bit diuretic! But this morning, no discomfort! Hoorah. Seems unbelievable. Only time will tell.
Off for my 12th “fraction” today.


 


 


the lady who removed my catheter stated.  don't consider taking cranberry juice. .


it's acidic  and will irritate the bladder.


so I took her advice.  I've not touched it since.


I've cut down on caffeine also.


I was dry after 1 day and bladder control has been better than I could ever had expected.


 


all the best 


 


 

User
Posted 26 May 2019 at 17:48
You had RP, though, Rob, not RT. The radiology team at the hospital where I had my RT recommended cranberry juice and it worked wonders for me.

Cheers,

Chris
User
Posted 27 May 2019 at 16:44

Hey everyone, like all of you I got 'the news' awhile back and fortunately, it's pretty contained so the prognosis is very good. I'll be starting RT in another week and it's interesting to read some of the side effects I'll be experiencing. I saw this topic and had to respond. 


When I was diagnosed, they said I'd have the OAR procedure done. It wasn't a question, it was a statement. They schedule you for the procedures. It's standard practice for this group over here and as painful as the procedure was, albeit quick, I'm glad they do it. Anything that will help mitigate the effects of the RT are fine by me. 


The biopsy was more painful and I had more issues than with the OAR. I didn't have infections with either procedure but the OAR seems to have lingered a bit. I had it done two weeks ago and rode my bike yesterday. While not 'painful' the prostate/injection site did remind me that this might not be the time for long bike rides so, sadly, I guess my season is over. 


I'll be checking in as the RT progresses but good luck y'all and keep the brown side down....

User
Posted 27 May 2019 at 17:15
Best of luck for your treatment. As you may have seen from my treatment thread, I got through it with relatively few side-effects. I hope it goes equally well for you.

Best wishes,

Chris
User
Posted 22 Sep 2019 at 15:29
Had my three month follow up with the onco last week. The all important PSA number is now 0.25, down again from the previous 0.6.
No symptoms or side effects remaining to speak of. The breast tenderness has gone, the libido has re-surfaced. Some slight ED, but I suspect more psychological than physical, the fella does stand to attention but only when he wants to if you get my drift. The little blue pills are able to work their magic and provide confidence when required however. Next visit to onco and another PSA in December.
User
Posted 23 Sep 2019 at 23:52
I asked in a consultation with UCLH whether Space Oar might be suitable with HIFU. I was told it had been tried but that it was blown through, so not effective for this form of treatment.
Barry
User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 16:40

I have just been diagnosed and was recommended to take RT. I asked my oncologist about the rectal spacer (being aware that this is routine in Australia) and he said it could only be provided privately and cost c£5,000. He said it wasn't worth it! However, this article:


https://www.england.nhs.uk/2019/05/nhs-funds-tech-to-protect-prostate-cancer-patients-during-radiation-treatment/


indicates that it is being rolled out in the NHS so I am going back to push for it, given that my rating is only mildly aggressive, so hopefully I can wait a bit.

User
Posted 23 Oct 2019 at 18:04

Hello,


I am enquiring for  my father who's been diagnosed with prostate cancer in May this year.


I too am looking at the SpacerOAR gel and saw the NHS trialling it with some patients in certain hospitals. It was the consultant at my fathers first Ohs appointment that mentioned the SpacerOAr gel as he treats NHS and private patients,


We have no private medical cover and he has been offered regular RT treatment at a NHS hospital in England. I enquired whether I could get the spacer gel privately then continue with the RT treatment on NHS (as both RT treatment regimes are same private or NHS ) but the consultant who told us about the spacer gel informed the staff at that NHS hospital are not trained as RT in spacer gel requires MRI scan and CT at each session? He said either we go fully private at somewhere like Genesis.

 I then enquired at another NHS hospital who said they do treat patients with RT after they've had spaceOAR gel inserted privately , but they don't do an MRI scan each time just a CT scan. The gel insertion itself done privately is about £4000.

Can anyone with any experience of NHS hospitals  or Private Hospitals who's had this gel in UK regards this treatment share any experiences? Does it offer significant benefits compared to no gel? Any research papers or links following both cases? Thank you in advance.

Edited by member 23 Oct 2019 at 23:27  | Reason: Not specified

 
Forum Jump  
12>
Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.




MenuTop ▲
©2024 Prostate Cancer UK